ASHBURN – Redskins coach Jay Gruden said Friday he’s very optimistic running back Chris Thompson will be able to play in Monday’s game at Philadelphia, while Jamison Crowder could also make his return to the lineup.
Thompson has missed four straight games with a fractured rib and six overall this season. The 28-year-old was a full participant in practice on Friday.
“He’s a very explosive player,” Gruden said of Thompson. “Not just when he touches the ball, but when he is in protection also. Philadelphia does a nice job, they did a nice job early in the year, they’ve done a nice job against us in year’s past with some blitzes and he can fit up on the linebackers. …Then, we can get him outside and work him in the screens and work him on some options routes, so he’s very important. He’s a guy that’s a valuable asset to this football team.”
Crowder, meanwhile, has been a limited participant in practice this week. He hasn’t played since Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints, the game in which he suffered an ankle injury.
Crowder said Thursday he’s been dealing with torn ligaments in his ankle.
Surgery was an option for Crowder, but the wide receiver decided against it. Crowder said he has seen multiple specialists to get further information about the injury.
“It’s been tough,” Crowder said. “I didn’t really expect to be out this long, but you know, treatment and MRIs and stuff like that, I messed my ankle up pretty bad, so I’m just trying to let it run its course. I’m still nowhere near 100 [percent], but I’m trying to get there though.”
Cornerback Quinton Dunbar was the lone player on the Redskins’ active roster who didn’t practice Friday.
Crowder, Adrian Peterson (shoulder), Morgan Moses (ankle), Trey Quinn (ankle), Zach Brown (knee), Tony Bergstrom (knee), Jordan Reed (back) and Matt Ioannidis (shin) were limited.
“There’s still a little bit of questions as far as who we can dress, who will be available, who is full strength, and if you dress a guy thats not quite full strength and he goes down early, it’s going to have a major effect on that position group,” Gruden said.
“We’ve just got to do a good job figuring out the guys that are ready to play and can’t play but we are pretty healthy on defense knock on wood and then offensive line-wise they are as healthy as they’ve been.”
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